10 ways exercise benefits your brain

Exercise is well known for its extensive health benefits. From its importance to maintain a healthy weight to prevent serious problems such as heart disease and stroke, is a daily habit that is highly recommended to have and maintain.

However, one of the lesser-known benefits of exercise is its contribution to brain health. It has been proven that regular exercise helps improve memory, learning abilities, speed of thinking and other aspects related to mental performance.

Physical activities lead to better blood flow and oxygenation in the brain, which increases their capabilities. No more than 30 minutes of moderate exercise is guaranteed each day to keep your brain in shape. Here are 10 ways in which your brain benefits from exercise:

Better mood

It has been found that exercise in studies helps increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. It also increases the production of dopamine, the known hormone that is associated with pleasure. This results in a better state of mind when you are physically active.

Lower risk of mental problems

Improving blood flow and oxygenation in the brain also helps keep you healthy longer. Studies have shown that exercise decreases brain aging and prevents common problems such as dementia or Alzheimer's in older people.

Greater number of brain cells.

It has been found that daily physical activity stimulates the brain to produce new nerve cells and accelerate their growth. This is due to a milder production of noggin and BDNF, two bioactive compounds that are directly involved in the process.

Stress reduction

As mentioned, exercise encourages the production of chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin that improve moods and also give you the mental energy to better cope with daily challenges.

Help against depression.

Depression is linked to a lower efficiency of neurotransmitters. Exercise, however, increases the production of a protein called BDNF, which helps improve its functioning.

Improve the IQ

It has been found that the IQ is related to cardiovascular health in the studies, which shows that the improvement in that department leads directly to an increase in their IQ.

Improve memory

The improvement of blood flow in the brain when exercising daily leads directly to more brain cells, stronger connections between neurons and a reduction in aging. This leads to an improvement in learning abilities, memory, problem solving skills and other aspects of mental power.

Slow atrophy

It is normal for the brain to start shrinking once you are over 30, leading to lower mental abilities than at its peak. It has been proven that exercise helps to slow down this process.

Better approach

Exercise has been found in studies to help improve the care capacity of children and adolescents with ADHD. Considering the overall performance boost that the brain receives from exercise, the fact that it helps focus on tasks is not a surprise.

It leads to a happier life.

Improved levels of dopamine, serotonin and other endorphins associated with happiness and good humor provide long-term benefits that mean a better perception towards all areas of your life.

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools to improve your mental health and, seeing that moderate daily amounts are sufficient, there is no reason not to do so. That's even before we talk about the many health benefits it brings.